LITTLE ROCK, Ark--For the third year in a row, the Shiloh Christian Saints have won the Class 4A State Championship. The Saints defeated the Pulaski Academy Bruins 61-40 in front of 6,628 people Friday night at War Memorial Stadium.

The game appeared as if it would be a shootout in the beginning, as both teams scored 20 points a piece in the first quarter, but both defenses settled in during the second quarter. The Saints would score twice in the second quarter, giving them a 34-20 halftime lead.

The Bruins struck first, attempting and recovering an onside kick to open the game. Garrett Lamb would score on a 20 yard pass from Fredi Knighten to take an early 6-0 lead.

The Saints would answer just a couple of plays later, as Garrett Harper found the endzone from 24 yards out.

Knighten and Lamb would connect again, this time from eight yards out to take a 13-6 lead with 6:42 to play in the first quarter.

The Saints would answer with 5:33 to play in the quarter on a three yard run by Kiehl Frazier, however Knighten and Lamb would hook up again, this time from 46 yards out with 3:26 to play in the quarter. Frazier would answer with another three yard run with 1:33 to play in the quarter.

Shiloh Christian wide receiver Zann Jones broke the state record for touchdown receptions with 52 seconds to play in the first half, when he scored on a 50 yard pass from Kiehl Frazier. Jones would finish the night with four catches for 202 yards and three touchdowns. He finishes his high school career with 57 career touchdowns.

The Saints took advantage of five turnovers by the Bruins to earn the victory. The Bruins gave away three fumbles and two interceptions. The Saints would turn three of the five into points, to outscore the Bruins 34-7 in the second half.

"It is so hard to win one, and so hard just to get here, so we are just grateful for some great kids who worked hard to get here." said Shiloh Christian coach Josh Floyd. "We knew it was probably going to be a four quarter game, and I was worried about that. We haven't had too many games where we had to play to the fourth quarter, but we were able to tonight. Pulaski Academy is a really good team, and the scary part is a lot of those guys are coming back."

Coach Floyd also spoke about how his team bounced back from a huge loss to Nationally ranked Euless Trinity, Texas in week two.

"It was obviously disappointing to come away with a loss like that." said Floyd. "But they are one of the best if not the best team in the country. We just wanted to go take a chance and our kids came back and proved they are one of the best teams in the state, and played well all year."

Auburn commit Kiehl Frazier was named MVP for the third time after winning the game. This is the first time in history a player has won three consecutive MVP awards.

He would complete 15 of 25 passes for 319 yards and four touchdowns, had 23 carries for 52 yards and three touchdowns, and also had a key interception, and five tackles on defense.

"It feels awesome to get this three years in a row." said Frazier. "There are so many great players in the state of Arkansas, and to be the first player to ever win the MVP award three years in a row is a great accomplishment, and a wonderful feeling."

Pulaski Academy head coach Kevin Kelley also gave his thoughts after the game.

"They made some good adjustments and I didn't make some good counter adjustments as a coach and obviously they're a fantastic team. They're a team you can't make mistakes against, and if you do they're going to take advantage of them." said Kelley. They have the best defensive line that I've seen in high school football. I should have done a better job of planning for that."

One of the key plays of the game is when the Bruins failed to convert on a 4th and 16 from their own 12 yard line.

"Somebody asked me, 'Did you think about punting the ball?' We onside kick, we don't punt, we do things that we think give us an advantage." he said. "I've got numbers to back it up. Do I punt down there? I don't know. Do you pick and choose when you do these things? If I could do that, I could coach for free, that's for sure, if I could predict the future."

The Saints have now won seven state championships, to include winning four in the past five seasons.